Code:  GBCA

Adopted:  11/13/17

Staff Religious Dress

All staff when on duty shall be allowed to wear religious attire, in accordance with the employee’s sincerely-held religious beliefs, while maintaining religious neutrality and refraining from endorsing religion in the educational environment.

The district retains the authority to specify religious dress guidelines for staff that will prevent such matters from having an adverse impact on the educational process.

The superintendent may develop guidelines to implement this policy.

END OF POLICY

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Reference(s):

 

ORS 243.650(7)
ORS 327.109
ORS 332.107
ORS 339.351
ORS 659.850
ORS 659A.030

Or. Const., art.  I, § 5.
U.S. Const. amend. I.

Cross Reference(s):

GCQA/GDQA – Non-school Employment
GCQAB - Tutoring for Pay

Code:  GBCA-AR
Revised/Reviewed:  3/13/18
 

Staff Religious Dress
“Religious clothing” means religious dress worn in accordance with the employee’s sincerely-held beliefs, including but not limited to, head coverings, jewelry, emblems and other types of religious dress.

 In assessing whether the district may restrict or prohibit the wearing of religious clothing, the district should consider whether:

1.       The employee’s intent of wearing the religious clothing or by wearing the clothing is likely to be perceived by students, parents or employees to indoctrinate or proselytize students and/or create the impression that the district endorses religion or the employee’s particular religious belief.

a.       Specific factors to be considered when assessing employee’s intent and reasonable perception should include, but not be limited to:

(1)     The size and visibility of the religious clothing;

(2)     The inclusion of any writing or symbols on the religious clothing that communicates a direct message;

(3)     Any accompanying verbal statements or declarations of a religious nature that goes beyond a limited explanation of the religious significance or obligation associated with the wearing of the religious clothing;

(4)     The number of employees requesting or wearing the same or similar religious clothing in the school; and

(5)     The reasonableness of this perception should take into account the age, background and sophistication of the student, parent or employee in the school who regularly encounters the employee.

2.       The wearing of religious clothing disrupts the educational process, harasses, intimidates, coerces or otherwise interferes with the rights of students, parents or another school employee in the district.